Harold French
Davidson Papers, MS 605, Special Collections Department,
Iowa State University Library.

Biographical note

Harold French
Davidson was born in Massachusetts in 1889. The son of Iowa native
W. H. and his wife, Olive, Davidson grew to become a chemist,
eventually leaving his parents and Eagle Grove, Iowa, to serve in
this capacity for the U.S. Army.

Arriving at Camp Dodge, Iowa, in September
1917, Davidson was soon asked to work with the medical detachment of
the regiment and became instrumental in their struggle against the
influenza epidemic.

In October 1918,
Davidson was promoted to staff sergeant and transferred to
Cleveland, Ohio to serve the Development Division of the Chemical
Warfare Service.

Collection description

This collection consists primarily of letters
written by Davidson to his mother during World War I.The letters are initially written from Camp Dodge, Iowa,
where he was a part of the medical detachment, but then shift to
Cleveland, Ohio in October 1918 when he was transferred to the
Development Division of the Chemical Warfare Service.

Also included is a photo of Davidson in his
WWI uniform with a newspaper clipping relating to his activities at
Camp Dodge and his transfer attached to the back. There is also a
staff sergeant badge that features the chemical warfare service
insignia.In addition, the collection contains the September 21, 1917
issue of the Camp Dodger newspaper and a 1925 letter sent to
Davidson's parents from the Clarence V. Schurtz Post #304 thanking
them for the portrait of Schurtz Mrs. Davidson had painted and
donated.